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“Because Valerio’s had a vendetta against Devil’s Advocates for a long time. I don’t know exactly why, but Byte has spent years publishing reports that cast the firm in a bad light.”
“But they weren’t wrong, I guess.”
I can almost hear Lucy’s shrug over the phone. “No. What can I say? The firm used to represent all the upper echelons of the criminal world. We probably deserved the bad press. I just wish they’d run something now about how Devil’s Advocates is moving in a new direction.”
“Interesting,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “Hey, I have another call coming in. Thanks for the info, Lucy.”
I hang up, feeling a little bad that I lied to my friend. But I was afraid that if we kept talking, I’d give away my plan. Instead, I go to Byte News’s website. A few clicks later, I’ve sent a message to Valerio himself. Barely five minutes go by before I get a reply:
Emma – I’m all ears. Come by the office in thirty minutes. – Valerio
Byte News occupies an entire city block. I arrive ten minutes early and pace around the giant lobby, clutching my notebook and reminding myself that I’m doing this to save the firm. Finally I go to the security desk and tell them who I’m here to see.
A few minutes later, a receptionist lets me into Valerio’s office. It’s even bigger than Damien’s, but there are no windows and the lights are low. I understand why as soon as Valerio steps out from behind his desk and strides across the dark carpet, hand extended.
“Emma, delighted to meet you,” he says with a smile. Even in the dim light, his sharp vampire’s teeth gleam.
“You, too,” I say, shaking his cold hand. Valerio’s tall and skinny, with long, very blond hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. His eyes are ice-blue, his skin paper-white, and I can’t take my eyes off of his teeth.
As if he can read my mind, Valerio chuckles. “Don’t worry, my dear. I’m not one of those tacky vampires that feasts on people.”
“That’s good to know,” I say, trying to smile. I kind of want to know what kind of food he does feast on, but more than that, I just want to get this meeting over with. Valerio indicates two chairs with a sweep of his hand, and we sit down.
“So, you have information about Raven Nightingale and Devil’s Advocates,” he says, crossing one leg over his knee.
“I do. I’m a paralegal at Devil’s Advocates,” I explain.
Valerio’s lip curls. “I’m sorry that you have to be surrounded with those coarse demons,” he says.
“They’re not that bad,” I say.
“Hah!” Valerio shakes his head. “Demons are such dull, unevolved creatures compared to vampires. No elegance, no appreciation of the finer things in life. But I suppose that their natural tendency towards brutishness has served Damien and his brothers well. They do get along so well with the scum that they defend.”
“Defended,” I correct. “Damien, Finn, and Luc decided a while back to stop defending drug lords and crime bosses. They’re trying to rebuild the firm. They’ve also dedicated an entire department to pro bono work. That’s led by Damien’s wife, Sophia Belmont-Blackwell.”
Valerio looks surprised. “Really? That’s news to me. And believe me, dear, I don’t say that very often,” he chuckles.
“That’s because Raven Nightingale has been sabotaging the firm through blackmail,” I say, and his eyes widen.
“Really? What wonderful gossip,” Valerio purrs. “And here I thought she was just another gorgeous, empty-headed model. So many sirens lack the natural intelligence of vampires,” he adds.
I sigh. “Are you just going to put down every other kind of creature, or do you want some news that your audience will love?”
Valerio smiles. “Feisty! I approve, Emma. And it’s not my fault that vampires truly are superior to everyone else. But,” he adds as I open my mouth. “You are correct. Show me your proof, please.”
An hour later, Valerio and I have hashed out a plan. He’s called in a few members of his senior team, and they’ve all signed off on our next steps. I let them make copies of my notes but keep hold of the originals.
When we’re done, Valerio walks me to the elevator. “This has been a true pleasure, Emma. Thank you for coming to Byte News with your information and not one of our competitors.”
“Thank you for taking me seriously,” I reply. “I realize that it would be a betrayal of journalistic ethics to expect that you’ll go easier on Devil’s Advocates going forward, just because I’m giving you this scoop.”
“That’s correct,” he nods.
“Still,” I continue. “I hope that, in the future, Byte News will be willing to take a deeper look at Devil’s Advocates, and realize that the good work the firm does can be just as worthy of coverage as the more salacious elements.”
“Well said,” Valerio says. “I make no promises. But I have a very long memory – I have to, being a vampire,” he adds, and I can’t help but smile at this. “And I remember who my friends are.”
Out on the street, I take a deep breath – it feels like the first one I’ve taken since I entered Valerio’s office. I’m so relieved that the meeting went well. But I can’t shake off my residual anxiety. What if my plan fails? Or, worse, backfires?
